It's Monday 9/18! What Are You Reading?

Late start today - trying to get caught up. We went away for the weekend, camping in Wharton State Forest in the New Jersey Pine Barrens (aka Pinelands, in an apparent effort at rebranding!). It was supposed to be a nice, relaxing mini getaway for my husband and I, though it didn't quite work out that way. The weather forecast had been for sunny days all weekend, but we got an unexpected BIG rainstorm Saturday, just as we were starting to cook dinner over a campfire. My poor husband stood out in the pouring rain for 40 minutes holding an umbrella over the fire while our dinner finished cooking! The other less-than-relaxing factor was some VERY noisy neighbors on all sides - loud music, large groups of people, shouting, swearing, etc. Like I said, not very relaxing. On the plus side, we did enjoy some kayaking Saturday morning, had a nice campsite on the lake, and enjoyed some reading, of course!

Here's what we've been reading this week:

• I finished reading my neighborhood book group's selection, Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson. I really enjoyed this warm, funny novel about a unique little boy and the young woman put in charge of him. It was laugh-out-loud funny but also heartwarming and moving. Most of my book group loved it, and we had some great discussions.
• Next, I dove into the R.I.P. Challenge for fall (which I still need to officially sign up for) and finally read one of the many suspense novels waiting on my TBR shelves: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware. It's a super creepy novel about a murder during a "hen weekend" (it's a British thing - what we in the US would call a bachelorette party, though I'm not sure we do the same sort of thing they do). It was excellent, and I can't wait to read her next novel, The Woman in Cabin 10, which is also waiting on my shelf!
• Now, I am reading another spooky novel, a YA fantasy thriller, Hollow City by Ransom Riggs, the second book in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. I enjoyed the first book, and my son's girlfriend loaned me this one. It's great so far.
• I finally finished listening to Carve the Mark, the latest YA novel by Veronica Roth, the author of the Divergent series. This one was not my favorite kind of novel - a full-blown fantasy set in a different universe. I prefer fantasy or sci fi set in our real world, with some fantasy or sci fi elements. However, it grew on me, and I enjoyed it overall, though it ran a bit long. Now I need to choose a new audio book to start!
• My husband, Ken, is going along with the spooky R.I.P. Challenge, too, and reading The Son by Jo Nesbo, a stand-alone thriller not featuring his well-known Harry Hole character. He's enjoying it so far.
• Jamie, 23, was reading an epic fantasy, Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight, book 1 of The Duelists trilogy, last I heard. Shoot, he just left, and I forgot to ask what he's reading now!

Last week's blog posts - hoping to finish August reviews this week and sign up for the R.I.P. Challenge! -

Movie Monday: Captain Fantastic - unique family drama that is warm & very funny

Teen/YA Review: Overpowered by Mark H. Kruger - exciting YA sci fi thriller

2017 Big Book Summer Wrap-Up - great challenge this year, both for me personally, and for all the other participants

What Are You Reading Monday is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date, so head over and check out her blog and join the Monday fun! You can also participate in a kid/teen/YA version hosted by Unleashing Readers.

What are you and your family reading this week?  

You can follow me on Twitter at @SueBookByBook or on Facebook on my blog's page.

Remember if you are participating in my Big Book Summer Challenge to leave links to your reviews on the challenge page (the second links list is for reviews, updates, and wrap-ups) to share them. I know many of you enjoyed your Big Books this summer! The Challenge finished two weeks ago, though you can continue to link up your reviews and/or wrap-up posts through the end of September.